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Array

4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET

Storm Tactics

with

John Neal

Team Mahina

Learn storm survival tactics from one of the world’s most experienced sailors.

90-Minute Live Session

On Demand Replay Available

Live Q&A

This online class, taught by renowned offshore sailor John Neal, will give you the knowledge and confidence to face challenging conditions at sea. With insights from 400,000 ocean miles and decades of experience, John will guide you through proven storm survival tactics, helping you prepare for and manage storms effectively. Whether you’re a coastal cruiser or planning offshore voyages, this class will equip you with essential skills to keep your boat and crew safe.

FREE

Storm Tactics

Online class overview

In this online class, John Neal will discuss survival tactics for all types of vessels including some new techniques based on his 400,000 ocean miles and 50 years’ experience including decades of Southern Ocean and Arctic Ocean and Barents Sea experience, six Cape Horn roundings, two Drake Passage crossings, two cyclones, and the 1994 Queen’s Birthday Storm.

Who is this online class for?

This online class is designed for offshore sailors, coastal cruisers, passagemakers, and anyone preparing to sail in challenging weather conditions. Whether you’re planning your first offshore passage or looking to improve your heavy weather decision-making and storm preparedness, this class provides practical knowledge that can help you better protect your crew and vessel at sea. It’s especially valuable for sailors interested in offshore cruising, ocean passagemaking, weather strategy, storm preparation, and real-world heavy weather tactics for both monohulls and multihulls.

What will I learn?

In this online class, you’ll learn proven storm survival tactics developed through John Neal’s 400,000 offshore miles and decades of real-world experience in some of the world’s most demanding conditions. You’ll gain practical insight into storm preparation, sail reduction planning, storm sail options, weather routing, sea anchors, drogues, and the advantages and limitations of different heavy weather tactics.

List of topics:

Considerations & Preparations

Yacht Design: Choosing a boat that allows you the widest range of storm tactic choices.
Gain experience in gradually increasing conditions.
Increase your knowledge of marine weather and storm system movement.
Develop and post a Sail Reduction Guide.
Storm sail options.
Consider storm management devices: drogues, sea anchors.
Install communication systems for receiving weather and routing information.
Ensure your wind instruments are accurate and dependable.
When is it prudent to employ a professional weather router, and who offers the best services available for each region?

Storm Procedures

Before departure
When in a storm
Crew responsibility
Rogue or exceptional waves

Ten Specific Storm Tactics

Advantages and cautions of each tactic explained in detail as conditions deteriorate considering specific boat handling characteristics of mono and multihull

Dealing with Anxiety

Seasickness: Avoidance & Treatment

BONUS CONTENT:

The 25-page ebook, Storm Survival Tactics is included in the price of this online class.

Heavy Weather Tactics for Offshore Sailors

PREPARATION BEFORE THE STORM ARRIVES

Successfully handling heavy weather begins long before conditions deteriorate. Offshore sailors must understand storm preparation, weather systems, sail reduction strategies, vessel limitations, and the importance of making smart decisions early. In this online class, legendary offshore sailor John Neal shares the practical preparation techniques, storm planning systems, and real-world lessons developed through more than 400,000 offshore miles and decades of ocean sailing experience.

REAL-WORLD STORM SURVIVAL LESSONS

From rogue waves and severe weather routing decisions to drogues, sea anchors, storm sails, and crew management, heavy weather sailing demands both preparation and adaptability. John Neal shares proven storm tactics used aboard a wide range of monohulls and multihulls while explaining the advantages, limitations, and risks of each approach. Through real-world stories and highly practical guidance, sailors will gain valuable insight into managing storms more safely and confidently at sea.

BUILD CONFIDENCE IN CHALLENGING CONDITIONS

Confidence offshore comes from preparation, experience, and understanding how to respond when conditions become unpredictable. Whether you’re preparing for offshore passages, ocean crossings, or simply want to become more capable in deteriorating weather, this online class provides practical insight into storm management, crew responsibilities, weather awareness, and decision-making under pressure. You’ll leave with greater confidence, realistic expectations, and proven strategies for handling heavy weather more effectively.

Your Host

John Neal

John Neal’s 400,000 offshore miles include six Cape Horn roundings plus expeditions to Antarctica, Africa, Australia, and Spitsbergen. Since 1976, John’s passion has been sharing his ocean cruising knowledge through 204 sail training expeditions aboard Mahina Tiare III, a Hallberg-Rassy 46 and various other yachts. John is author, co-author or contributing author of 17 books including Log of the Mahina. When John’s not at sea leading sail-training expeditions he teaches Mahina Offshore Cruising Workshops and offers boat purchase consultation services. Details on mahina.com

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Online Class Registration

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@ 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET (90 min)

Regular Price

ASA Member Price

On-Demand Access

All registrations include unlimited on-demand access to the recordings of the live online class. So if you are unable to attend live you can still register and watch at your leisure.

ASA MEMBER DISCOUNT

American Sailing Members can claim their discount in the Member Portal. If you’re not a current member then for only $59/year you can join or renew today!

Online Course
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- Storm Tactics
ASA Certification
ASA Online Achievement Seal
- ASA Online Achievement Seal
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By completing this entire course you can earn an ASA Online Achievement Seal - an official ASA seal that can be entered into your ASA Logbook!
Official ASA Logbook
- ASA Logbook
  $29.99
The ASA Logbook is a living document that chronicles your certifications and can also be used to keep a record of any and all sea-hours accrued along the way. If you chose to earn an ASA Online Achievement Seal and don't have an ASA Logbook then you *must* chose this option and purchase one.
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